Digital imaging, editing at Hutchinson Center

Nov 08, 2012

Jennifer Smith-Mayo

Belfast — The University of Maine’s Hutchinson Center will offer ART 272 – Digital Imaging this spring on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m., taught by Jennifer Smith-Mayo. Students will learn how to manage images using Lightroom, Photoshop and InDesign to get the most out of their photography and pictures. This course is offered both as an undergraduate and graduate level 3-credit course.

Instructor Smith-Mayo is a professional photographer and co-author, with her husband, writer Matthew P. Mayo, of the recently published “Maine Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Pine Tree State.” Her work is regularly featured in Down East Magazine and also has appeared in Big Sky Journal, Western Art & Architecture, National Geographic, the New York Times and Wine Spectator.

Digital Imaging is a hands-on, studio- or workshop-based course with several objectives that include improving one’s photography skills; learning image management through Lightroom; practicing image editing with Lightroom and Photoshop; improving ways of looking at and judging pictures; scanning images; combining type and images in Photoshop and InDesign; and creating web-ready images, PDFs and prints. Students also will explore the basics of digital photography including composition, framing, exposure techniques, shooting strategies and white balance.

The primary digital editing programs will be Lightroom and Photoshop. Lightroom is a state-of-the-art digital image management and editing program used by professional photographers. It offers a “non-destructive” environment, which means that even though one makes adjustments to an image, one does do not alter the original. Students will use Photoshop to do more intensive and refined work on digital images; and InDesign to experiment with combining images and text in a layout environment. Participants will learn how to export PDFs of layout for print and web publishing; and use Lightroom and Photoshop to export images in various resolutions for web and print publishing.

The course is structured around a studio workshop environment. Classes will be a combination of lectures, demonstrations, discussions, critiques and field and classroom exercises. Each class will build on the following and several activities will interweave. Students will be responsible for completing a final project of their own choosing.

To register or to make an appointment to meet with an advisor, call the Hutchinson Center at 338-8000. Academic and financial advising is available as well as scholarships.